María Pilar Martínez García and 2 companions

Each of these three religious sisters followed a unique spiritual path before finding themselves united in the same sacrifice at the Carmel of Guadalajara. Sister Maria Pilar of St. Francis Borgia, coming from a large family of eleven children, entered the Carmel on October 12, 1898, and took her vows on October 15, 1899. During her 38 years of cloistered life, she distinguished herself by her humility, her embroidery work, and her devotion to the Eucharist, which she called "El Vivo." Sister Maria Angeles of St. Joseph, motherless from the age of three and inspired by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, joined the Carmel on July 14, 1929, and made her profession on January 21, 1931, shining through her gentleness and charity. Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus and of St. John of the Cross entered the Carmel on May 2, 1925, at the age of 16, pronouncing her vows on March 6, 1930. She led a daily spiritual battle to master her lively temperament, serving as a nurse and organist.

In July 1936, the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War plunged the city of Guadalajara into violence. On July 22, the Republican militias took control of the city. Faced with the danger, the prioress ordered the eighteen nuns to disperse in civilian clothing. On July 24, 1936, Sister Maria Pilar, Sister Maria Ange, and Sister Teresa left their refuge to seek a safer shelter. Recognized as nuns by a female militiaman, they were fired upon. Sister Maria Ange died instantly. Sister Maria Pilar, seriously wounded, expired a few hours later at the Red Cross hospital while whispering words of forgiveness: "Father, forgive them." Sister Teresa initially escaped, but having been caught by the militiamen, she refused to renounce her faith and was shot near the cemetery while crying out "Long live Christ the King!"

The martyrdom of the three Carmelites of Guadalajara sparked immediate devotion. Their bodies were exhumed and identified on July 15, 1941, before being transferred to the church of their rebuilt monastery. The decree recognizing their martyrdom in odium fidei was promulgated on March 22, 1986. On March 29, 1987, Pope John Paul II celebrated their solemn beatification in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. They thus became the first victims of the Spanish Civil War to be raised to the altars. Their liturgical feast is set for July 24.

The spirituality of the three martyrs of Guadalajara is rooted in the Theresian tradition of Carmel, characterized by self-offering, fidelity in small things, and love for the Eucharist. Sister Maria Pilar had offered her life to preserve her community, and Sister Teresa wrote of her desire to "sanctify everything through love." Their heroic forgiveness remains a model of reconciliation. In May 2026, a documentary titled "Tú vas conmigo: Mártires Carmelitas de Guadalajara" was produced by HM Televisión to revive their spiritual legacy.